The unsung genius behind Super Smash Bros. Brawl - still the only beat ‘em up of any note on Wii - is striking out on his own with a new company and a brand new game…

Project Sora is the name to look out for and Masahiro Sakurai - for it is he - not only has the full backing of his former employers but a healthy chunk of investment too. In fact, Nintendo owns over 70% of the new company, which rather suggests that Sakurai might have been better off negotiating with the Dragons instead. Ah well, at least he’ll get wicked distribution and access to console gaming’s biggest audience.

Nitty-gritty, then. Project Sora was set up at the back-end of January and currently employs some 30 staff, with Sakurai apparently hot on the recruitment trail. As for the new game, well, it’s much too early for such details. However, Nintendo boss Satoru Iwata says it most definitely isn’t a Smash Bros. sequel, while Sakurai prefers to tantalise, saying “I can promise an experience that’s different from anything up until now”.

Coming from the creator of the mighty Smash Bros. Brawl that’s a big promise indeed. Needless to say we look forward to seeing the fruits of his labours.